User:T L Miles/Tuareg insurgencies of 2007 and 2008

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Military stalemate

Hostage drama

Mali model

Libyan mediation

Peace?

Niger: 2009 ceasefire

Malian model

Movement towards peace in Niger, which seemed unlikely at the beginning of 2009, progressed rapidly following the Malian peace deal. The taking of hostages by the AQIM in Niger, especially Canadian diplomat Robert Fowler, brought intense international interest in the security situation in Niger. Beginning in February 2009, there was intensive involvement with the Nigerien government and the rebel groups by the UN, Canada, and later by Algeria and Mali, and finally Libya. Canadian and other sources floated rumors of Tuareg rebel and even Nigerien government involvement in the kidnappings, which all sides united to deny. Malian and Algerian government mediators, as well as informal groups representing Tuareg interests and the Nigerien government met at a Malian organised conference in Niamey on 25 and 26 February.[1] Press in Bamako and Niamey began to talk of the the "Malian Approach" to peace.[2]

MNJ split

On 2 March, as series of dramatic events occurred on the side of the Nigerien rebels. A group of most of the named MNJ leadership and their European based supporters announced they had broken from the MNJ.[3] The Front Patriotique Nigérien (FPN, Nigerien Patriotic Front) announced that MNJ leader Aghali Alambo had fled from the MNJ encampment with all but one of the remaining FAN prisoners. The remainder of the MNJ leadership announced that they were forming the FPN, and announced in their first statement their desire for direct peace talks with the government and a ceasefire. The FPN announced leadership consisted of much of the MNJ, with former Agadez NGO head and rebel Aklou Sidi Sidi as president, former Nigerien military officer and MNJ military commander Kindo Zada announcing his support from a previously unannounced exile in Djamena, and former MNJ spokesman Boutali Tchiwerin as the spokesman of the new organisation. The 2008 MNJ splinter, the FPR (Front of Forces for Rectification) headed by Rhissa Ag Boula and Mohamed Aoutchiki Kriska, later announced they would join with the new FPN peace initative. Agli Alambo for his part announced from Libya that the MNJ were seeking immediate peace talks under Libyan auspices, and would repatriate their prisoners to Niamey. Mouammar Kadhafi accompanied six former prisoners to Niamey, where they were repatriated to the Nigerien government on March 13th. On 15 March Kadhafi called on all rebel groups in Niger to lay down arms, and pledged his help to prevent smuggling and lawlessness in the area.[4][5] On 26 March, the FPN announced it would accept Libyan mediation with the Nigerien government, in order to seek a "lasting peace".[6]

Peace talks

On 3 April, a Nigerien delegation headed by the Nigerien Minister of the Interior Albadé Abouba arrived in Tripoli to begin joint meetings with the FPN and MNJ at Syrte.[7] In a statement after the meetings, the FPN congratulated "His excellency Tanja Mamadou" for sending "a strong signal in the direction af a return to peace" [8] On 15 April, the Nigerien government released a positive statement, saying that negotiations gave the government a chance to assure the rebels of their desire for peace. Meetings were headed by the Libyan mediators, Albadé Abouba for Niger, Aghali Alambo for the MNJ, Mohamed Aoutchiki Kriska (FFR), and Aklou Sidi Sidi, president of the FPN.[9] The FPN leadership continued to release positive statements, but they, like the Nigerien government, accused the remaining MNJ leadership of dragging their feet over the remaining FAN prisoner, an army officer captured in 2007 and accused by the rebels of war crimes.[10]

Al-Queda of the Magrehb

Late April saw the release in northern Mali of the Western hostages taken by the AQIM, including the Canadian diplomat to Niger Robert Fowler. [11] The governments of Niger and Mali, as well as Tuareg rebel groups, had come under unusual international pressure over the taking of seven hostages under mysterious circumstances.[12] The original two abduction incidents (two Canadian diplomats, their driver, and four European tourists siezed weeks later) were blamed by Niger on rebels, and by the MNJ on the Niger government. Western news sources quoted a variety of observers who believed the hostages were taken by Tuareg smugglers, perhaps associated with rebel groups, who then sold them to the AQIM.[13] Two of the four European tourists were later released, and one, a British man, was reported killed in June 2009.

Civilan opening

In Agadez Region, several events signaled a return to peace. On 28 April the United Nations World Food Programme announced it would begin aiding the repatriation of 20,000 people internally displaced since 2007. The towns of Iférouane, Gougaram, Danet, Dabaga and Tchirozérine would receive food and resettlement centres to ease the transition.[14] Despite this, the government in Niamey announced on 23 May that it had renewed the "state of emergency" in the entire Agadez Region for another three months, allowing preventive detention and banning public gatherings.[15]

May meetings

On 3 May President Tandja made his first visit to Agadez in over two years. He joined the Areva CEO Anne Lauvergeon and French Minister of Overseas Cooperation Alain Joyandet in placing the first stone in the new Imouraren mine. Imouraren, scheduled to open in 2012, will replace Areva's current Arlit Uranium mine, and as planned will be the largest Uranium mine in the world.[16] Tandja drove through the streets of Agadez, met with local leaders, and for the first time, met with representatives of the rebel groups. The President broadcast as statement saying "We have asked them to put down their weapons and come build the country with us. We forgive them because we want peace in Niger," promising for the first time amnesty for rebels who disarmed.[17] Prior to the meeting, the MNJ released the last FAN prisoner it had held, an Army captain taken in July 2007, whom rebels had previously accused of killing civilans.[18] Rebels and government continued negotiations, now reportedly on the practical process of turning in weapons While all sides released positive statements, an FFR spokesman warned "The process of turning in weapons will be a rather long one."[19] The MNJ briefly announced it would not agree to any disarmament until several of its political demands had been met, but later backed away from this statement.[20] 2009.[21] Four party talks between the Nigerien minister of the Interior and the leadership of the Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ) Front of Forces for Rectification (FFR) and Niger Patriotic Front (FPN) continued through May and into June, hosted by Libya.










Sahara states to mount anti-Qaeda operation:reports Reuters. Tue May 5, 2009

Amrs to Mali




Niger government and rebels in disarmament talks. AFP. 5 May 2009.

egate of the rebel Front of Forces for Recovery (FFR), told Tuesday's edition of the state-owned daily Le Sahel.


Tanja met with rebel reps in Agaez, promised amnesty if they laid down their arms



Création du Front Patriotique Nigérien

Par F.P.N. le 10 mars 2009, 18:00 - Communiqués du FPN

fpn.jpg Déclaration rendue publique devant la presse internationale

Par F.P.N. le 26 mars 2009


Date: 04 May 2009 SG/SM/12221 AFR/1841

03 Apr 2009 18










Sahara states to mount anti-Qaeda operation:reports Reuters. Tue May 5, 2009

Amrs to Mali






Création du Front Patriotique Nigérien

Par F.P.N. le 10 mars 2009, 18:00 - Communiqués du FPN

fpn.jpg Déclaration rendue publique devant la presse internationale

Par F.P.N. le 26 mars 2009


Date: 04 May 2009 SG/SM/12221 AFR/1841

03 Apr 2009 18




Uranium

China extends Niger $95m loan for uranium project. Reuters. Fri Apr 24, 2009

Poursuite de la visite de travail du Président de la République, Chef de l'Etat, dans la région d'Agadez : SEM. Mamadou Tandja, hier, sur le site de la SAMINA à Azelik. Mahaman Bako, Le Sahel 07 Mai 2009




Tandja

Le président rêve d’un troisième mandat. Le Corrier Internationale. 06 May 2009

N'Diaye

The Journal of Modern African Studies (2009), 47:129-152 Cambridge University Press Copyright © 2009 Cambridge University Press doi:10.1017/S0022278X08003765

Research Article To ?midwife? ? and abort ? a democracy: Mauritania's transition from military rule, 2005?2008 Boubacar N'Diaye


Tuareg

Rencontre à Syrte entre l’Etat du Niger et le MNJ. MNJ 8 April 2009

Le président Tandja rencontre la rébellion du Nord. RFI 5 May 2009


Niger group quits main Tuareg rebellion,seeks talks. Abdoulaye Massalatchi, Reuters Wed Mar 11, 2009






MNJ : "Le gouvernement de Niamey veut il vraiment la paix ?" MNJ Statement. 14 avril 2009

Le Président de la République rencontre les différentes délégations régionales invitées à la cérémonie d'Agadez : le Chef de l'Etat unanimement félicité et encouragé à persévérer dans l'?uvre de construction nationale. Mahaman Bako, Le Sahel 06 Mai 2009


Au-delà, le Président de la République a dit que les Nigériens établis à l'extérieur doivent comprendre que le pays est dans une phase où la contribution de chacun, selon sa richesse, son savoir ou son savoir-faire acquis ailleurs, sera la bienvenue. Le Président Mamadou Tandja a ensuite abordé bien d'autres sujets comme le chantier de réalisation du chemin de fer Bénin-Niger pour pallier l'état d'enclavement de notre pays par rapport à la mer et atténuer le coût du transport des marchandises.

Il a également évoqué la question de la mise en exploitation du charbon minéral de Tahoua qui est une voie pour réduire notre dépendance énergétique nationale et pour lutter contre le déboisement des forêts qui nous restent encore, en utilisant ce charbon carbonisé comme substitut au bois de chauffe. Aux autorités administratives et aux chefs traditionnels, il leur a clairement rappelé les devoirs qui leur incombent en vue de veiller à ce que les questions de l'éducation et de la santé soient au c?ur de toutes les mobilisations et de toutes les attentions.


parole devant toutes ces personnes réunies dans la salle des réunions du Gouvernorat d'Agadez, le Président de la République a d'abord indiqué que leur présence était nécessaire pour qu'ils puissent témoigner auprès des populations et des structures qui les ont déléguées, de l'importance de l'événement. Peu après, le Président de la République a eu une rencontre avec les représentants des différentes unités et services des forces de défense et de sécurité ainsi que des corps paramilitaires avec lesquels il a eu une séance de travail. Cette rencontre a été suivie d'une visite du Chef de l'Etat à la garnison militaire d'Agadez.

May 2008



Older

Tuareg update

Ibrahim Ag Bahanga

Hassan Fagaga / Hassen

http://www.vitaminedz.com/articles-15688-16-127902-alger-actualites___revue_de_presse-le_gspc_au_mali-10.html
http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2009/01/27/feature-01

General

VS

These should be there, but check


Agadez

Tracasseries policières à Agadez : les Kabou-kabou en colère. Aïr Info 5 May 2009

Policing moto-taxis in Agadez


Machine Gun

Zuma votes to strains of Umshini Wami. NIREN TOLSI AND AGENCIES Mail & Guardian (Cape Town) Apr 22 2009 14:06

Zuma: Umshini Wami part of SA history. Mail & Guardian (Cape Town) Sep 09 2007 18:04

In what could be interpreted as a reference to ANC national chairperson Mosiuoa Lekota's remarks about the freedom song Umshini Wami, Zuma said songs like this were part of South Africa's history.

"[If you erase the songs], you erase the record of history," he said. Delegates greeted this statement with thunderous applause and banged on the metal tables at which they were seated.

"I don't think anyone must suggest that we must look at some parts of our struggle as evil," he added.

Lekota's remarks, broadcast on the South African Broadcasting Corporation, condemned those singing such songs as being "izibhanxa" [brainless or fools]. On television, Lekota was clearly incensed and pointing to his head. Lekota said on Wednesday that his remarks were not aimed at Zuma in particular and that he was speaking broadly about policy.

Lekota defends Umshini Wami remarks. Mail & Guardian (Cape Town). Sep 05 2007


"We must not talk [of] these instruments of revolution, these freedom songs, like we are talking about [pop songs]. This is something different.

"This is a serious matter. It's a matter of life and death.

"You could cause a situation in which people run around with machine guns and kill other people, when we are nursing a very sensitive national democratic revolution," Lekota said.

Don’t stress about anthem: Umshini Wami is dead easy. Dear sis beatrice. The Times (Johannesburg) Published:Dec 12, 2007

A teenage idol. Mail & Guardian (Cape Town) NIREN TOLSI - Mar 06 2009 06:57

[http://afraf.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/adn064v1 Jacob Zuma, The Social Body and The Unruly Power of Song Liz Gunner African Affairs Advance Access published online on December 4, 2008 African Affairs, doi:10.1093/afraf/adn064 ]

[http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/nation_world/20090507_ap_southafricaszumarevivesantiapartheidsong.html?text=med&c=y South Africa's Zuma revives anti-apartheid song]. Thu, May. 7, 2009 CELEAN JACOBSON The Associated Press

Mandela smiles as Zuma calls for his machine gun . The Telegraph (London) Sebastien Berger In Johannesburg Last Updated: 7:26AM BST 21 Apr 2009

  1. ^ Niger/Mali: forum à Niamey sur la question touareg. AFP. 25 February 2009
  2. ^ Forum de Niamey sur la paix au nord du Niger et du Mali : Malentendu autour de «l’approche malienne». L'Indépendant (Bamako) 2 March 2009. Also quotes Le Republicain (Niamey)
  3. ^ The original communiques were posted on the group's webiste, [1]. See communique #1:Création du Front Patriotique Nigérien, F.P.N., 10 March 2009.
  4. ^ Appel de Kadhafi aux rebelles touaregs du Niger et du Mali. Reuters. 15 March 2009.
  5. ^ Niger : Scission au sein des rebelles touaregs. RFI March 13 2009.
  6. ^ Niger: Des groupes de rebelles touaregs et une délégation du gouvernement nigérien ont affirmé leur engagement pour la paix, lors d'une rencontre avec le numéro un libyen Mouammar Kadhafi à Tripoli. AFP. 7 April 2009.
  7. ^ Vers une médiation avec les touaregs. RFI. 4 April 2009
  8. ^ Niamey et les rebelles touaregs s'engagent en faveur de la paix. Reuters. 8 April 2009.
    "Le président de la République, son excellence Tandja Mamadou, vient ainsi d'envoyer à travers cet acte un signal fort en direction du retour de la paix. C'est pourquoi toutes les parties prenantes investies de cette mission portent désormais sur elles la responsabilité historique de surmonter toutes les contradictions et d'aller vers la concrétisation des ces engagements, concrétisation qui doit se traduire par un accord formel de paix."
  9. ^ Fin de la visite de travail du ministre d'Etat, ministre de l'Intérieur, de la Sécurité Publique et de la Décentralisation, en Grande Jamahiriya Arabe Libyenne, Populaire et Socialiste : des résultats réconfortants à tous points de vue. Adine Ag Aglasse, Le Sahel. 15 April 2009
  10. ^ Le FPN annonce des avancées vers la paix dans le nord du Niger. Pana Press. 26 March 2009.
  11. ^ Fowler freed from captivity. Winnipeg Sun. 23 April.
  12. ^ Kidnappings a ‘message’ from rebels in Sahel. John Thorne, The National (Canada). 1 May 2009
  13. ^ Crisis began with nomadic rebels. Toronto Star. 23 April 2009
  14. ^ Le PAM réinstalle 20.000 personnes dans le Nord du Niger . PANA Press. 28 April 2009.
  15. ^ Niger extends state of emergency in Tuareg north. AFP. 24 May 2009.
  16. ^ Founding ceremony for Niger uranium mine. World Nuclear News. 05 May 2009
  17. ^ Niger leader meets Tuareg rebels. BBC. 4 May 2009.
  18. ^ State TV: Tuareg rebels in Niger release hostage. DALATOU MAMANE. AFP. 4 May 2009.
  19. ^ Niger government and rebels in disarmament talks. AFP. 5 May 2009.
  20. ^ Niger's Tuareg rebels refuse to disarm. AFP. 12 May
  21. ^ Cease-fire truce reached with Niger rebels. UPI. 15 May 2009.
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